Furniture seat construction



March 11, 1947. WEHINGARTEN 2,417,146

FURNITURE sEA'f qous'muc'nou Filed Oct. 11} 194: -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MURRAY WEINGARTEN INVENTOR.

IITTORNE March 11, 1947. I N RTEN 2,417,146

FURNITURE SEAT CONSTRUCTION Filed 001;. 11', 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MURRAY WEI NGARTEN INVENTOR.

@MJJM ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 11, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FURNITURE SEAT CONSTRUCTION Murray Weingarten, New York, N. Y.

Application October 11, 1943, Serial No. 505,722

form, or webbing layer is resiliently supported in position so that the normal spring base of the cushion supporting springs is maintained substantially constant throughout the useful life of the upholstered article.

An advantage of the present construction lies in the fact thatthe novel support units require no special mounting brackets and, in fact, may be installed upon the furniture frame to coact with the other parts of the article of furniture by an ordinary workman who requires only ordinary upholsterers tools and equipment to complete the operation. I

A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the workman assembling the article of furniture may, by varying the tension and/or position pf certain of the parts of the support unit, control the spring action so as to produce an upholstered or padded article of furniture having varying degrees of resiliency characteristics.

For the purpose of describing my invention and pointing out the novelty thereof I have shown, by way of illustration, the incorporation of the resilient support units in a chair. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates, this same structure can, of course, be incorporated in all manner of articles of furniture in which a padded or upholstered or other comfort providing surface or platform is used, as for example in springs for beds, spring filled mattresses, chairs, divans, studio couches, or the upholstered furniture upon various vehicles, such as trains, aeroplanes and automobiles.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view as seen from the plane II on Figure 2 showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of an article of furniture embodying the invention, as might 10 Claims. (01. -179) 2 be seen from a plane 2-2 on Figure l with the addition of the overlying parts.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged detail plan view showing one of the ends of the support elements shown in the left portion of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detail vertical section view as seen from the plane 2-2 on Figure 1 or the left hand lower portion of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view as seen from the plane 55 on Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed sectional view as seen from the plane 6-6 on Figure 3. v

Figure 7 is a view in perspective showing one of the combination slider and strain distributing members prior to installation.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view corresponding to Figure 4 but showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is an elevational view partly in section as seen from the plane 9-9 on Figure 8.

In accordance with the invention the upholstered article of furniture is generally indicated by reference character In and as previously described, may be an upholstered chair. A seen in Figure 2 the chair frame ll may be of the usual construction including front legs I2 and rear legs l3. Disposed above the legs l2 and I3 are the seat front frame element I4, seat rear frame element l5, and seat side frame elements I6 and l1. Suitably secured to the under surfaces of the frame element H-ll, inclusive, in any suitable manner as for example by the use of upholsterers tacks (not shown) is a platform base H3. The base l8 may be composed of any suitable material which is flexible and stretchable. The base l8 may be composed of a single sheet of webbing as shown or the same may be composed of interwoven webbing. Such bases as just described are well known in the art and do not require further description. They are subject to undesirable stretching when 'in use and as will appear more fully hereinafter, this disadvantage is avoided by the present novel construction.

Disposed above the-base 18 are a plurality of resilient elements !9. The resilient elements ill may be of any suitable number determined by the type of action required in the chair as completed, By way of example, I have shown the chair as including six of these resilient elements I9, positioned as shown in Figure 1. Where desired, these elements may be increased or decreased in number and rearranged in position upon the base l8 to suit the requirements of the particular ch'air. Disposed above the resilient elements I9 is a covering element 28. The covering element 20 serves to distribute the stress transmitted to the resilient elements I9, to restrict dust from entering within the chamber formed by the base I8, the covering element 28 and the surrounding portions of the frame II. The covering element 28 may be composed of muslin or similar material and may be secured in any suitable manner as for example by the use of upholsterers tacks (not shown) to the upper surfaces of the frame elements"I4-I'I, inclusive. In Figure l the covering element 20 has been removed for the purpose of showing the construction of the parts therebeneath,

Superposing the covering element 20 is the cushioning element- 2I which may be of any suitable construction, as for example, a filling of curled hair, moss, cotton, or kapok. The cushioning element 2| may be covered with any desired upholstery material which forms the seat surface 22.

The base I8 is provided with a plurality of base support units generally indicated by numeral 23. Thus as seen in Figure 1 the base support units are three in number and for the purpose of avoiding needless repetition since all of these units are substantially identical, a detailed description of one will be given, which will suffice for all. As seen in Figure 2 the base support unit 23 includes a body in the form of an elongated strap element 24. This strap element may be made of any suit able flexible material and while the same may have stretchability of low order it is preferable that the same be substantially non-extensive in length. I have found that of the suitable materials of which the elongated strap element 24 may be constructed, woven cotton webbing is satisfactory. Obviously, other materials having similar characteristics may be substituted. The front and rear ends of the elongated strap element 24 generally indicated by numerals 25 and 26, re-

spectively, are substantially identical and a deportion of the bushing is engaged between the terminal and adjacent convolutions of the spring 36 while the flange portions are disposed between the terminal convolutions of the spring 36 and the inner surfaces of the reinforcements 34 and 35. Passing through the reinforcements 34 and 35 and the pressure distributing members 39 and 40 is a flexible frame attaching element 4|. The outer portions of the element 4| adjacent the ends 42 and 43 are interconnected by a connector 44. The ends 42 and 43 are then secured to the upper surface of the particular frame portion of the frame II by winding said ends about upholsterers tacks 45, 46, 41 and 48. struction is seen in Figure 3 wherein the tacks 45-48, inclusive, have been driven into the top surface 49 of the seat front frame element I4. The body or elongated strap element 24 has the central portion thereof disposed below the platform base I8 and said element 24 penetrates a pair of orifices 50 and 5| in the platform base I8. During the operation of the invention, as will more fully appear hereinbelow, the portions of the strap element 24 which pass through the orifices 58 and 5| are subject to movement through said orifices. Furthermore, a considerable portion of the weight placed upon the cushioning element 2| by the sitter is concentrated in effect along the inner opposed edges of the portion 28 and is suitably connected to the portion 29 of the body 24 in any suitable manner, as for example by the stitching 38. Other methods of connection of the terminal 21 to the portion 29 which I have found satisfactory are rivet.- ing, interweaving, splicing or securing by means of adhesive. The bight 28 at the outer extremity thereof thus forms a fold or bend 3| which is provided with a pair of orifices 32 and 33. These orifices are provided with reinforcements 34 and 35. The reinforcements 34 and 35 may be composed of metal eyelets installed in a well known manner, or may be composed of plastic eyelets molded into place.

Disposed within the spring enclosing portion 28 is a helical spring 36 which is of such construction that in a condition of equilibrium substantial spaces exist between the convolutions thereof. In the normal operation of the present invention the spring 36 is subjected to compression and as is best seen in Figure 5 the spring 36 which is generally elongated is bent upon itself into a substantially U-shape. And the ends 3'! and 38, that is to say, the terminal convolutions of the spring 36 are provided with pressure distributing members 39 and 48 which may take the form of flanged bushings in which the body orifices 5|] and5I. The combination slider and strain distributing members 52 and 53 are provided to protect-the borders of the orifices 50 and 5| and to distribute said weight over a greater area. This construction provides smoother and more responsive action of the structure and also adds to the durability thereof. In Figure 7 the combination slider and strain distributing'member 52 is shown prior to the connection thereof with the platform base I8. The member 52 has a rounded body portion 54 and a plurality of prongs 55. The installation of the members 52 and 53 is a relatively simple matter in that the prongs 55 are pushed through the base I8 wherein they make their own orifices for penetration and the prongs 55 are struck over or swaged to take the position shown in Figure 6.

By way of example one method of assembling the construction in the article I0 is here given. The base I8 may be cut to size so as to be coterminous with the outer horizontal edges of the frame II at the seat portion thereof, Depending upon the number of the elements 23 which it is proposed to utilize in the chair, the base I8 may now be provided with pairs of opposed orifices corresponding with the orifices 58 and 5|. The members 52 and 53 and others corresponding thereto are secured in position next to the orifices corresponding to the orifices 50 and 5|.

Next the resilient elements I9 are positioned. and secured to the upper surface of the base I8 in any usual manner as by clinching, stapling, or stitching.

Following this the units 23 are next inserted in such manner through the orifices 58 and 5| and the other orifices corresponding thereto with the bight or spring covering portions corresponding to the portions 28 taking the general position indicated in Figure 4. Following this the ends corresponding to the ends 42 and 43 of the flexible frame attaching element 4| are secured to *the frames nearest thereto by winding the ends about the tacks which are then driven tightly into the frame. At this time the springs corresponding to the spring 36 are placed under a certain This conamount of tension depending upon the resiliency characteristics which it is desired 'tl'ie i'lnished chair or other upholstered article shall have.

Now the covering element 20 and the cushioning element 2i and the seat surface 22 may be put in place in a well known manner.

The back portion generally indicated by reference character 56 of the article I8 may be constructed generally similarly to the seat portion 51. Thus the lower a'nd'upper frame elements 64 and 65 are maintained in position between vertical frame elements, only one of which, namely the vertical frame element 66, is seen in the drawings. Secured to the rear surfaces of theframe elements 64, 65 and 66 in any suitable manner, as for example, by the use of upholsterers tacks (not shown) is a backbase 68, which may be similar to the base I8. Forwardly of the base 68 are a plurality of resilient elements 69 which are similar to the elements I9. Forwardly of the sent a substantially Smooth appeamma elements 69 is a back covering element I6.

Superposing the covering element 10 is a cushioning element II which may be covered with any desired upholstery material, which forms the front surface I2 of the chair back.

The back base 68 is provided with a plurality of back base support units generally indicated by numeral I3 which may be of any suitable number. Each one of the support units 13 is substantially identical with the support units 23 previously described, with the exception that they may be composed of lighter weight material and the helical springs therewithin corresponding to the spring 36 may have a softer action. This may be accomplished, for example, by fabricating the springs within-the units 13 of lighter guage wire.

In all principal respects the installation of the parts just described on the back portion 56 of the chair Il] may be accomplished in a manner similar to that previously described in connection with the parts as installed to form the seat portion 5'! of the chair I 0.

It may thus be seen that when thechair I 8 is occupied by a sitter downward pressure caused by the weight of the sitter upon the seat portion 51 .of the chair will cause a compression of the cushioning element 2I. In addition to the last described compression, there will be a transmission of movement to the covering element which in turn distributes the weight over a plurality of the resilient elements I9, The elements I9 will be compressed to a certain degree and will in addition transmit movement to the base I8 causing the same to become lowered in posttion. This lowering of the base I8, however, is controlled by the units 23. As the base I8 at the central portion thereof becomes lowered it contacts the body Not the unit 23 and this downward movement is transmitted to the ends 25 and 26 of the unit 23. Because the flexible frame attaching elements 4| are positively secured at the outer ends thereof to the stationary frame adjacent thereto downward movement of the body 24 will cause a compression of the prings 36. Thus the springs 36 supplement the action of the resilient elements I9 and resiliently support the base have been transmitted thereto. Movement of the base I8 with relation to the body 24 may readily occur by reason of the reduced frictional association of the body 24 with the base 85 upon the members 52 and 5?; where the greatest frictional movement occurs. The members 52 h3g prevent the relatively concentrated stress in these areas from concentrating the strain. on the base in such limited areas as would he likely to cause rupture of the said base.

Similar action takes place in the back portion 56 of the chair I0 with the exception that the stresses are usually of lower order and the distortion or movement of the parts occurs to a correspondingly lesser degree. As seenin Figure 2 the central part of the body portion I4 lies rearwardly of the back base 68 and disposed rearwardly of this is the rear sheet of upholstery material '84. For the purpose of clarity in the drawings the thicknessor the sections of the planar material has been exaggerated. In a finished article the rear upholstery surface 86 would pre- Turning now to the second embodiment oithe invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 for the purpose of avoiding needless repetition parts corresponding to the first embodiment oi the invention are given-the same reference character with the addition of the numeral l as a prefix.

- The principal difference existing between the second embodiment of the invention and the first embodiment of the invention lies in the sprin enclosing portion I28 wherein the same is completely closed with the exception of the orifices through which the flexible frame attaching e1ement I4I passes. This enclosing of the spring I36 within the bight I28 may be accomplished by the row of stitches I85 and the chamber I86 may be provided with a lubricant, if desired. Such lubricant may have any desired characteristics and, for example, may be composed'of a mixture of wax and graphite, which is applied to the convolutions of the spring I 36." It may be noted in connection with the second embodiment that the enclosing of the spring I36 prevents the entrance of dust and dirt into the chamber I86 and thereby promotes the unaifected operation of the spring I36.

The principal frame attaching elements 4! and MI may be composed of rope of the vegetable fibre type such as manila, cotton or linen, or where desired the same may be composed of steel cable. In order to promote the smooth and noiseless operation of the device the cable or rope forming the flexible frame attaching elements M or I may be suitably impregnated with a lubri cant such as wax.

It may be noted that downward pressure upon the central area of the body portion 24 of the element 23 (or I3, or I23) causes a flattenin of the bight 28 and the other bight portions corresponding thereto. This in turn causes the inner opposed surfaces of the elongated strap element 24 to approach each other and in doing so they bear against the diametrically opposite portions springs corresponding thereto. Such pressure upon said convolutions causes frictional engagement which has a snubbing or shock absorbing effect. Thus when a sitters weight is suddenly placed upon the seatin portion 5lor the neck portion 56, by transmission of the gravitational forces as previously described, tension is placed upon the units 23, or 13, or the other units corresponding thereto. and this causes pressure within the bight or spring enclosing portion 28 or other portion corresponding thereto, which re-- duces the speed of contraction of the spring 36, or other springs corresponding thereto.

It will be noted that the unit 23 or 13, or other unit corresponding thereto is substantially flexible throughout the area which is adapted to support the respective base elements, such as the base I6, or the base 68, so that the comfort providing qualities of the upholstered article H] are enhanced.

Where certain filling materials are used, as for example, foam rubber, it may be desirable to eliminate the covering element 20 or the covering element 10, as well as the resilient elements l9 or 69, and to have the cushioning element 2| or H extend into the chamber normally occupied by the resilient elements 19 or 69. In such construction weight caused by the sitter is transmitted through the thus enlarged cushioning elements directly to the bases which in turn receive controlled resilient support by the support units 23 or 13.

It may be noted that in connection with the present disclosure the units 23 have been described as having springs corresponding to the spring 36 at both of the ends thereof. Where desired for purposes of obtaining either a less expensive construction or an altered seating action the spring corresponding to the spring 36 may be omitted at one of the ends of the unit 23 with a corresponding loss of the function of said spring.

It may thus be seen that I have provided a novel and useful upholstery construction which may be readily fabricated in large quantities at low cost and which provides a high degree of comfort, utility and durability. Chairs or other upholstered articles constructed in accordance with my invention are not only comfortable in use but have a shock absorbing action when sudden loads are placed upon them with a consequent reduction in undue strain in the parts, a feature which provides for lengthened satisfactory life of the article of furniture.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. Furniture construction for use by an occupant, comprising: a frame; a platform connected to said frame; a flexible base connected to said frame; load transmitting means disposed between said platform and said base; a support unit including a flexible body having an orifice of predetermined size; said base resting on said flexible body; a compressible spring larger than said orifice so as to be incapable ,of passing through the orifice, said spring having inner and outer portions and being engaged at the outer portion thereof with said flexible body at said orifice; an elongated frame attaching element connected at one end thereof to said frame; said frame attaching element at a portion thereof which is spaced from its said end penetrating said orifice in the flexible body and penetrating said spring and engaging inner portions of said spring; and means to prevent disconnection of said spaced portion of the frame attaching element from said inner portions of the spring; whereby the weight of the occupant on the platform is transmitted to the base which is moved downwardly causing the flexible body which carries said base to move away from the frame, the frame attaching element having a restraining action on said spring and thereby causing a compression of said spring against said flexible body.

2. Furniture construction for use by an occu- 8 pant, said construction comprising: a frame; a platform connected to said frame; a flexible base connected to said frame; load transmitting means disposed between said platform and said base; a support unit including a flexible body having an orifice of predetermined size; said base resting on said body; a helical coil compression spring larger than said orifice and engaged at an outer portion thereof against said flexible body at said orifice; an elongated frame attaching element connected at one end thereof to said frame; said frame attaching element at a portion thereof spaced from its said end penetrating said orifice and penetrating said spring substantially axially thereof and engaging inner portions of said spring; means to prevent the attaching element from pulling completely out of said spring; whereby weight of the occupant on the platform is transmitted to the base which is moved downwardly causing the flexible body which carries said base to move away from the frame, the

frame attaching element having a restraining action on said spring and thereby causing a compression of said spring against said flexible body.

3. Furniture construction for use by an occupant, comprising: a frame; a platform connected to said frame; a flexible base connected to said frame; load transmitting means disposed be tween said platform and said base; a support unit including a flexible body having an orifice of certain size; said base resting on said body; a U-shaped compression spring engaged at an end thereof by said flexible body at said orifice; an elongated flexible frame attaching element connected at an outer end thereof to said frame; said flexible frame attaching element penetrating said orifice and axially penetrating said spring; means anchoring said attaching element to inner portions of said spring; whereby the weight of the occupant on the platform is transmitted to the base which is moved downwardly causing the flexible body to move away from the frame, the frame attaching element having a restraining action on said spring and thereby causing an axial compression of said spring along the frame attaching element and against said flexible body,

4. In furniture construction for use by an occupant, said construction having a frame and a flexible base attached to said frame and which carries the weight of the occupant; a base supporting unit comprising: a strap element extendable beneath said base for carrying said base to support the same, said strap element having an enclosure with an outer end; an elongated frame attaching element; a compressible spring encased within said enclosure and having a first portion thereof in engagement with the outer end of said enclosure and having a second portion; said frame attaching element having a first portion connectible with said frame and a second portion penetrating a second portion of said spring, which spring second portion is spaced along said strap element a substantial distance from the outer end of the enclosure; means for engaging said attaching element with said spring second portion; whereby when installed in an article of furniture, weight upon the base causes a movement of the strap element away from the frame and a compression of the spring, the sec- 9 occupant, said construction having a frame and a flexible base attached to said frame and which carries the weight of the occupant; a base supporting unit comprising: a flexible strap element extendable beneath said base for carrying said base to support the same, said strap element being folded upon and connected to itself to form an enclosure; an elongated fiexible frame attaching element; a compressible spring disposed within said enclosure and having a first portion thereof in engagement with the outer end of said enclosure; said frame attaching element having a first portion connectible to said frame and penetrating said enclosure and a secend portion penetrating said spring in an axial direction and engaging with a second portion of said spring, which spring second portion is spaced alon said strap element a substantial distance from the outer portion of said enclosure; whereby as installed, the base causes a movement of the strap element away from the frame and a compression of the spring, the second portion of which is restrained in movement away from the frame by the frame attaching element.

6. In furniture construction for use by an occupant, said construction having a frame and a flexible base attached to said frame and which carries the weight of the occupant; a base supporting unit comprising: a flexible strap element for extension beneath said base for carrying said base to support same, said strap element being folded upon itself to form a loop, the

' folded portion of the strap element which forms the loop being secured at its end to the body of the strap; a frame attaching element in the form of a flexible elongated member; a U-shaped compression spring confined within said loop and having its free ends in engagement therewith; said frame attaching element slidably penetrating said loop and extending through said spring, the ends of the said attaching element being adapted to be secured to said frame; whereby when installed, weight upon the base causes a movement of the loop away from the frame and this compresses the spring against-the restraining action of the frame attaching element.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 in which the spring is of helical coil construction.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 in which the ends of the frame attaching element are permanently connected outwardly of the loop of the strap element.

9. An auxiliary elastic support for use in furniture seat construction or the like comprising a seat frame and a flexible base in the nature of a spring supporting web attached thereto; said auxiliary support comprising a body element to carry said base, said body element having an orifice; a compression spring, a first portion of which engages said body element near said orifice, said orifice being smaller in diameter than 1 10 the size of said spring whereby said spring may not penetrate said orifice; an elongated frame connecting element passing through said orifice in a slidable manner and axially penetrating said spring to engage a second portion of said spring, said second spring portion being located inwardly on said body element and spaced from said orifice; and means to prevent the withdrawal of said frame connecting element from said spring. 10. An auxiliary elastic support for use in fur niture construction or the like comprising a seat frame and a base in the nature of a spring supporting web attached thereto: a body element in the form of a flexible strap for extension be- .neath said base, an end of which is folded upon itself and secured to an inner portion of itself to form a closed bight; said body element being adapted to carry said base and having a pair of orifices located in said bight the edges of said orifices being reenforced; an elongated helical coil compression spring located within said folded portion and with the ends thereof engaging the bight at the orifices said spring having pressure distributing members in the ends thereof; an'elongated flexible frame connecting element passing through said orifices, pressure distributing members and spring and forming the spring into substantially U-shape; the exposed portions of the" frame connecting element being interconnected outwardly of said bight and adapted to be secured to said frame; and means at the other end of said strap forsecuring the same to said frame whereby when applied to a base and a seat frame, longitudinal tension and downward pressure upon the body element by, the base will cause a flattening of the bight and increased friction on lateral surfaces of said spring 1to produce a spring controlling or snubbing efect.

MURRAY WEINGARTEN.

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